> Why is there ''and/or'' in the MIT license text? Why is it needed?
It's a stupid lawyer thing. A lot of us still write like this. I'm sorry.
> Does the phrase ''this permission notice'' cover the following disclaimer?
Arguable, but why would anyone bother chopping off the disclaimer?
> Also, what is the shortest possible license that is functionally equivalent to the MIT license?
Form and function aren't so neatly separated in natural language.
> Is this really a license?
It's a cute suckless thing. They're edgy like that, among other ways.
> What about the SQLite blessing?
SQLite holds their work out as in the public domain. But you can buy a license (and some commercial guarantees) to make your company's lawyers happy: https://sqlite.org/purchase/license